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How to: First Letter to a Pen Pal

I am shamelessly borrowing material from The Pen Company. You can read the source material here. I am condensing and paraphrasing and giving it to you in a nutshell.

So, how does one write that first letter to a new pen pal, a stranger at present who through the passage of time and the postal service may one day be numbered among close friends?

Tell your pen pal where you found their details.That's not too daunting now, is it? You're off to a good start.

Keep it personalized. This is no place for a form letter. Your aim it to build a relationship with a particular person. A real person will be reading whatever you write so write accordingly.

Don't overdo it. Don't give your complete history all at once. Let them get to know you over time. Besides, if you deluge them with information you may scare them off.

Mention what you have in common: If you've never met your new pen pal, and chances are you haven't, then where you got their contact information in the first place will clue you into something you have in common. For example, if you exchanged addresses through The Fountain Pen Network you already know that you have a pen hobby in common.

Add a little extra. That would be an enclosure such as a tea bag, a bookmarker, a sticker or any small item that can mail easily in a letter. For 50 ideas on enclosures click here.

Comments

what an awesome idea .... I hope you lil lamb is doing well with being all laid up . I m sure you guys have much to sort out . take care and hope to hear from you soon . I hope you lil lamb is at home with you and not still in the hospital is she ? thanks and have a great day .